Reading the road: Time of day

The time of day can give you a lot of information about what you might expect ahead.

Although children can be present on the road at any time, they are out in force just before and after school. Therefore, you should be keeping a special look out for children during the morning rush-hour and mid-afternoon periods, especially where you see a school sign.

If you see mud on the road, or a warning sign for cattle, you should be especially vigilant at dawn and dusk because cows are often taken for milking at these times and may well be on the road ahead – perhaps around the next bend.

In industrial areas, factories often have shifts finishing at certain times of day. If you are near one of these you might expect to meet more cyclists or pedestrians than would otherwise be the case, especially if the shift finishes at a non rush-hour time (for example, early afternoon).

Late at night there are tired, or possibly drunk drivers on the road (although drunks can be around at anytime, especially summer afternoons), watch out for erratic driving or over cautious drivers.

The time of day will also impact upon your ability to read the road. If you are tired you will not process information as quickly or as well as when you are awake and alert.

Next: Other road users